Need some reassuring...

I recently ordered a 1530 (look at signature) and was really excited. Now that I read a little more, I'm a little concerned with 2 things about my configuration.

1. The graphics card. I ordered the 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT, which is supposed to be defected. What are the chances of this happening?

2. The hard drive. It's a solid state drive (SSD). At 128gb, it was pretty expensive, but not too much. I have heard that they are horrible, so please back me up on that.

So that's what I'm worried about. Should I cancel the order? Or are my concerns nothing to worry about? Please reply.

 

As I said in your other thread, yes, the Graphics Card is defective. It usually will fail in about a year or so. Its pretty likely for it to fail. I would play it safe, return/cancel it, and get another laptop with an ok GPU. Besides, it is also an older, last generation card.

Not sure about the SSD Thing, But the whole GPU thing is enough to cancel it.

 

Since the issue surrounding these NVIDIA GPUs came to light, I have suggested people stay away from the M1530 and M1330 units.

Dell has only stated the units are now supplied with the current System BIOS which alters the thermals (fan rotation, etc.). IMHO this is not a fix and Dell should not be selling these models. Even with the extended warranty, I would not touch these two. In the end, you have to ask yourself - even with the warranty extension by dell, am i willing to deal with this if it should happen to fail or have problems?

There are several threads on this topic and I'm sure if you review them you will make a final decision. Before doing so, you may also want to review:

http://en.community.dell.com/blogs/...ate-limited-warranty-enhancement-details.aspx

 

Mine's been running fine for over a year.

 

That doesnt mean it wont fail ever. And also, some are ok, and you wont have problems with. But most will.

 

I was thinking about switching to a Studio XPS 1640. I'm not sure how happy my dad will be when I break the news to him that we have to cancel the order, but atleast it has a non-defective GPU and even a better processor.

 

Yeah, thats a much better idea. Its Worth it.

Just tell him it has a defective GPU and would probably fail, im sure he will understand your reasoning...

 

Okay, then that's what I'll do. I was really hooked on the 1530's design, but hey, the GPU is more important. Plus the 1640 is a little cheaper and will be delivered faster.

 

Ok, good.

Plus, a better GPU. (Performance Wise)

 

Just because you had a bad experience with Dell and your GPU doesn't mean everybody will. Saying it will fail in probably a year is incorrect as I've had mine for a year and a half with no problems, and I'm on the original solder set too.

Dell and Nvidia have supposedly fixed the GPU problems with their new systems, the new parts started going in last fall.

I'm very happy with my M1530, and any problem I've had Dell has taken care of quickly.

You won't go wrong by switching to a Studio XPS 1640 though. Just don't be worried about your M1530 if you got a good deal on it.

 

Even if your graphics card wouldn't fail, I don't really see a reason not to upgrade to the SXPS 16 (besides price, that is). The M1530 is a last generation computer and I feel like Dell should give it a major update/cancel it anytime now.
Next time, do your research before buying!

 

Oh great. I called Dell to cancel and they said since it's in production they can't cancel. So I have to wait for it to ship to my house, then I can return it back within 21 days.

 

I don't want you to feel like Dell has bad customer support after calling them several times, but I'd call back and try again. There's no reason they wouldn't be able to cancel it now, and the computer will end up going to the dell outlet as a 'previously ordered new' computer. Hopefully the next person you talke to can get it taken care of for you.

 

Well, it's pretty late where I live, so maybe tomorrow I'll try calling again. But chances are I'm going to use it for about a week, do some gaming tests, recording the temperature of the heat when playing games/just normal use and just seeing if it's all normal, even when using a very graphically demanding game. If no problems persist, I will use it for 1 week longer. I'll keep doing this until the 21 days is up. If no problems come after heavy testing, I might just keep it. It does say in Dell's return policy that if your computer is defective you don't need to pay the restocking fee. But we'll see. :/

 

That's wrong. You have the right to cancel up until before its prepped to ship.
Gah. I have seen several threads as of late hearing peeps stating this.

See, you can cancel..as they don't charge your credit card until its about to be shipped.

Call back and speak with a Resolutions Specialist.


Cin

 

or, just refuse the package. it will be sent back to dell.

Regardless, don't settle for something you are not happy with. I must ask though, with Dell making changes to their product line, why would you order something that is last year's model?

 

I actually never had the laptop. I know from reading and researching that most of them are defective. The approximate time is a year. Im not making it up, its a fact.

Some of them will have no problems, some will. You could never have one problem, or it could fail in another month, to another year. You never know. But its better to totally avoid it (for the OP), then taking a chance.

Eh, that can cause issues sometimes. Its proably easier to just accept and return it.

 

Because, the new models are a lot more expensive. This model suited me until I found out about the graphics card problem. Well, I have a 3 year warranty, which includes the extension for the graphics card. I am keeping it for awhile and testing it. If the tests come out okay I will just keep it. 3 years is a long time

 

And people wonder how rumors and false information gets spread.... Not saying this is the case here, but I'd only trust information from somebody who actually owned the laptop vs. somebody who just reads what problems everybody else has and repeats them. I think we forget people come here in far greater numbers to report problems rather than to say they had a good experience with a laptop.

Either way, if there still was a problem in the future Dell would get it taken care of and fixed quickly by an on-site tech.

 

I own the laptop with the 8600GT, I've had it for over a year and I've had no problems with temperatures of the CPU or GPU. If you look after it and treat it like you would any other laptop (always use it on a flat surface, clean the air vents reguarly) then I imagine you wouldn't have any problems with the GPU.

 

Same here...have had my 1530 since 1/08. And, I have had no prob's with the temps at all.

Treat your lappy the way you want to be treated..and your good to go!


Cin

 

Hmmm, I don't know. I just bought an XPS1537 from the outlet store a few weeks ago and it doesn't seem to run hot at all, even when gaming or watching a DVD. I may buy a USB cooling pad as well, just in case.

Mainly I wanted to respond to let you know that Dell sometimes charges a 15% restocking fee if you return an order. If you mention that you're planning on buying a more expensive system or that you're worried about the XPS's performance you could probably get it waved. From what I've seen, half the time they don't apply the restocking fee anyway. But I just wanted to make sure that you knew they sometimes do, so make sure you get them to agree to wave the restocking fee before you return it. Or better yet, get someone to cancel it now. But for what it's worth, I love my XPS1530, it's cool and quiet. I could be one of the lucky ones though, I suppose.

Good luck!

 

a lot of people go around saying that all the gpus will fail. many however never have any issues... a lot of missinformation if you ask me.

I have two years warrenty from dell on the gpu... after 2/3 years, i will be looking at a new model anyway.

 

I made up my mind. I'm keeping my m1530 (if my 3 week testing period turns out okay)! I went to Best Buy recently and checked out all the Dell lappies in person. Turns out the m1530 is really nice! The touchpad is nice, it's lighter than I thought, and much more. I also loved the Studio 15's design. This is my plan:

When I get my m1530 I will do many tests, such as a little heavy gaming.
I will record the temperatures when idle, when gaming, when using the internet, etc and will compare those to the normal temps.
If all looks okay I will keep it, and since I have a 2 year warranty (3 year, including the extension for gpu probs) I'm sure it'll be just fine.
If it gets too heated up, and the gpu is defective than I am getting a Studio 15. Both are very nice and I like them both.

Whatever happens it's for the best.

 

Sounds like a good plan. Good luck!